I just don't feel up to documenting as much this time around because #1 I already know what to excpect and it just doesn't seem as fascinating and "magical" as it did the first go around, #2 it's flying most likely because of #1 and #3 because I'm WAY bigger in my belly although overall weight gain is nothing like the first go-around (stay tuned for this week's Wordless Wednesday for a comparison that will leave you speechless - I'm convinced I'm carrying either The Hulk or twins!).

However, my BFF Julie convinced me that I really should document it, and I'd hate to get to the end and regret it or years later when baby #2 wants to see what it was like being pregnant with him or her and will see Nia's wealth of documentation and feel left out.

Sooooooo without further ado, here's my Baby Agbai 2.0 report (I'll be doing these every 4 weeks so the next one will be at 22 weeks - by then I'll know the gender but still not sure if I'll share . . .):

How far along: 18 weeks

How big is baby:
(from 3DPregnancy.com) Your baby now weighs between 5 and 7 ounces and is about 5½ inches long—about the size of a pickle from the corner deli. Other highlights this week:

Your baby’s ears are now facing forward and are completely formed so
she can actually hear you talking now. You don’t need to abandon your
potty mouth just yet, but you might want to start thinking about it!
Other highlights this week:
This week is also the beginning of ossification. And while that
sounds like some long and involved paperwork you’ll have to fill out,
it’s really a fancy medical term for the hardening of your baby’s
miniature bones. And that’s a good thing.
Your baby’s nerves are making more and more complex connections. Her
sense of smell, taste, sight and hearing are all developing. A substance
called myelin, which makes nerve connections travel faster, is now
coating your baby’s nerves.

Stretch Marks: No new ones just the same old ones resuming their previous positions; I'm very itchy so the Palmer's cocoa butter gift set my sister gave me for Christmas is handy!

Sleep: I sleep like a baby! Congestion sometimes makes it hard to get to sleep but once I'm out, I'm out

Best Moment This Week: Nia's continuing adoration for her future sibling - she tries to grab my entire belly

Movement: I was feeling flutters at 16 weeks but since then I rarely do

Sex of the Baby: I'll find out the beginning of February

Food Craving: I've preferred sour, salty, tangy this entire pregnancy and it's still the same although suddenly this morning I wanted a blueberry cake donut (that's Mr. Lovebird's favorite!) but I staved it off with a bowl of multigrain Cheerios

Belly Button In or Out: It's out as seen in the above pic - mostly popped at top just like last pregnancy

What I Miss: Walking without getting winded and being able to climb stairs without getting fatigued/lightheaded; iron should help with that, but the after-burps are DISGUSTING so I rarely take it

What I'm Looking Forward To: My mom coming for the long weekend (little does she know I have lots of little projects I need her to help me with!)

Milestone: Making it through the week without destroying Mr. Lovebird; why can't he read my mind by now? I mean I've known him for almost 15 years. Sheesh!